The Pikes Peak Transportation Coalition says traffic congestion and the decline of transportation avenues is the single biggest problem that county and city residents face today, and it comes straight from the horses’ mouth. According to past polls, the people agree, citing traffic and transportation as the biggest negatives affecting what is otherwise a satisfactory lifestyle. However, will they fork over tax dollars to fix the problem?The coalition says crumbling bridges, unsafe intersections, clogged roads and the frustration caused by sitting at traffic lights can be fixed if attention is focused on finding a solution.The solution under consideration among many city and county leaders is the formation of a regional transportation authority. Under Colorado law, two or more cities and/or counties can create a regional authority, which is governed by a board of directors made up of elected officials. If the RTA is on the ballot this fall and passes, the monies raised from a 1-percent sales tax would go toward capital improvements, like road repair – 55 percent; maintenance – 35 percent; and additional transit services – 10 percent, according to an August El Paso County press release.Dan Stuart, the chairman of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce transportation committee, said, “Citizen groups have been researching the road and bridge needs our region has and will have over the next ten years, and based upon current available funding, we’ll only meet about 10 percent of the expected need over that period of time.” Stuart said action must be taken now or “90 percent of the identified need for safer roads will not be funded in the next 10 years.” He says the money is “simply not there.”If the issues aren’t addressed now, Stuart said, the cost of the deferred maintenance will be much greater, creating a burden on the next generation.”Providing a safe and adequate transportation system is a basic function of government, one we expect government to perform,” Stuart said. “These are local needs that will not be funded by federal or state governments. The Pikes Peak Transportation Coalition has asked our local governments to work together to address this crisis now. We have looked at many funding options and have agreed that an RTA is the best structure to address these concerns.”The RTA would require citizen oversight and identify a specific list of projects that need to be funded during the next 10 years, Stuart said. “There will not be an additional layer of government because existing elected officials will serve on the RTA’s unpaid board,” he said. “The RTA is simply a funding mechanism to these projects.”The Pikes Peak Transportation Coalition is looking for support from local governments and business organizations to focus on a community wide solution to a community wide problem.What are they endorsing?
